West Ham’s decision to recall midfielder James Ward-Prowse from his unsuccessful loan spell at Nottingham Forest was greeted with a lukewarm response.
During a less-than-exciting transfer window, the return of a player already on West Ham’s books failed to capture the imagination.
However, from the little I’ve seen of new Hammers boss Graham Potter so far, I am confident that the new gaffer will be able to get the very best out of Ward-Prowse.
Potter is nothing if not a pragmatist. Unlike former head coach Julen Lopetegui, the Hammers’ new manager does not ask players to do tasks they are incapable of. The resurgence in performance and confidence of the squad under the new boss is no accident, and I can’t imagine why it would be any different with Ward-Prowse.
Potter will be fully aware that JWP’s main asset is his delivery. For that reason, I would not be at all surprised if we see him deployed on the right of midfield when he plays. Ward-Prowse has a reputation as a dead-ball specialist, but he can also be deadly accurate from wide positions.
It was not something we regularly saw under David Moyes, who preferred to utilise the £25 million signing from Southampton as a workaholic No. 10 or even on the left-hand side of midfield, where his qualities were completely blunted.
Therefore, I would not be surprised if Potter does quite the opposite and views Ward-Prowse as a way to unlock the undoubted potential of loan signing Evan Ferguson.
The 20-year-old Irish striker is deadly in the air and has the physical attributes to trouble most central defenders, but delivery will be a key factor. So don’t be surprised if, at some point in the near future, we see West Ham shaping up tactically for Ward-Prowse to load the bullets for the big fella.
For JWP to regain his full potential he needs to go back to the Saints. Reminds me of Mick Channon move to Man City, my grandad remarked. Plus better living by the Sea.
For JWP to regain his full potential he needs to go back to the Saints. Reminds me of Mick Channon move to Man City, my grandad remarked. Plus better living by the Sea.
I trust Potter with his decisions…….he’ll utilise JWP effectively, either from the start or off the bench. It’s a squad game at West Ham now, and Potter won’t have his favourites like Moyes did.
What JWP lacks is creativity in open play, if Potter can draw that out of him could be transformational.
Jwp is far too slow and can’t dribble, wingers and full backs would have an absolute field day against him there. The amount of times I watched midfielders who aren’t even that quick run past him with the ball like he wasn’t even there was criminal.
He keeps things simple when he’s on the ball and takes a good set piece but he’s certainly far from creative from open play. Maybe potter can get him to be more progressive with his passing but no other manager really has got that out of him so I doubt it will suddenly happen now I just don’t think he has it in his locker and it’s not worth sacrificing another player just for his set pieces.
Don’t think we can build a team around him just to properly showcase his talents but there is definitely a case for JWP contributions to freshen up and offer something different and positive for our play.
No different to signing Brazilians from French sides and hoping they fit in. Except we know James can do a job in the Premier League.
COYI
We have 5 subs available and Kudus and Paqueta blow hot a cold, so if they’re not producing, bring JWP and go direct. Moyes definitely wasted him, I was expecting to see Beckham like crosses from the right when he signed. If he’s half as accurate, he’ll create opportunities for Ferguson and Soucek. Let’s be positive!
James Ward Prowse on the right of midfield 🤣🤣🤣 like he would get in there ahead of Kudus or Bowen it would be a left backs dream they wouldn’t have to run all game just walk after him 🤣🤣🤣🤣 what a stupid thing to say he’s a sub at best
I do feel that Potter is a thinking manager. He does tweak the system to accommodate players strengths rather than bend the player to suit the inflexible system. A totally different calibre to Lopetegui and less fixed in his ways than Moyes.
Totally agree John, gotta play to players strengths!
Great idea, to do this you would have to drop either Bowen, paqueta or kudus to shoehorn in a player not fit to lace their boots. At least you’re not suggesting a return to the double pivot of him and soucek I guess! What has happened to people?